National FFA and AgriNovus Indiana Announce Blue Room

The National FFA Organization and AgriNovus Indiana have joined together to announce the “Blue Room” will debut at the 2018 National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis Oct. 24-27. The Blue Room is the kickoff to Blue 365, an initiative that will bring this same innovation into classrooms and impact more than 650,000 members nationwide. FFA student members are the …

GROWMARK Endure Initiative Continues to Grow

GROWMARK‘s Endure 4R Advocate Awards program and Enduring Farms program are working together to recognize individuals for using best management practices and to tell that story to those outside of agriculture who want to know how farmers are practicing stewardship on their land. GROWMARK Director of Agronomy Marketing and Agronomy Services Ryan White said they continue to grow the programs, …

Ethanol Report on Custom RFA Motorcycle

A custom motorcycle that runs on E85 stole the spotlight at the 2018 Fuel Ethanol Workshop in Omaha this week. The Renewable Fuels Association teamed up with master motorcycle designer Paul Teutul, Jr. to create the patriotic-themed bike that was revealed to the world on the Discovery channel series American Chopper June 11 and Paul Jr. spent time at the …

EPA Administrator Gets an Earful from Corn Farmers

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has been on a tour of farm country this week, meeting with corn farmers and ethanol producers in Kansas and South Dakota already and next to Nebraska. At the East Kansas Agri-Energy ethanol plant in Garnett, Kansas, Kansas Corn Growers Association President Ken McCauley says they pressed Pruitt on EPA’s granting of small refinery exemptions which …

New Market Insights for Crop Biologics

American agriculture is undergoing a new wave of productivity and enhanced sustainability. While many previous advances focused on enhancing a plant’s internal ability to overcome natural challenges, this next wave focuses on the critical interactions between plants and the surrounding microbiome. In recent years, there has been a renewed emphasis on improving soil health. This next wave focuses on the …

Crops & Chemicals USA 18 Agenda Features Industry Experts

The full agenda is now available for this year’s Crops & Chemicals USA meeting, July 23-25, at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, NC. The agenda for the meeting provides attendees with the critical science, technologies and contacts needed to accelerate the development and regulatory approval of biostimulant, biopesticide and agrochemical products. Included on the program this year are industry …

2018 World Pork Expo

The 2018 World Pork Expo is celebrating 30 years at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. Presented by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) since 1987, this year’s expo includes a record-setting trade show, expanded seminar lineup, elite swine shows, and an abundance of delicious pork! Organizers expect approximately 20,000 producers, employees, industry specialists and other pork professionals, including …

Bayer Provides Monsanto Closing Details

Bayer intends to complete the acquisition of Monsanto this Thursday, June 7, following the receipt of all required approvals from regulatory authorities. According to the conditional approval from the United States Department of Justice, the integration of Monsanto into Bayer can take place as soon as the divestments to BASF have been completed. This is expected to be in approximately …

GROWMARK: Agriculture Background Not Required

Although GROWMARK and its FS Member companies are clearly rooted in agriculture, a farming or agribusiness background is not required to thrive as an employee there. GROWMARK’s Director of Talent Management Tom Swearingen is a prime example of that. Originally a commercial airline pilot, Swearingen left that industry after the events of 9/11/2001 changed it forever, and came back to …

ZimmCast 585 – ONE 18, Alltech Ideas Conference

This edition of the ZimmCast includes interviews from the ONE 18, Alltech Ideas Conference. Aidan Connolly, Alltech VP, who talks about technology and what he hopes to convey to attendees this year. USDA Under Secretary Bill Northey discusses the Farm Bill, RFS and his department, Farm and Foreign Agriculture Service. Finally, we hear from @TheFarmBabe, Michelle Miller, who talks about …

Crops & Chemicals USA 18 to Feature Regulatory Updates

Federal regulators representing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Federal Drug Administration (FDA) are among the presenters at this year’s Crops & Chemicals USA meeting, July 23-25, 2018 at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. The agenda for this year’s meeting provides attendees with the critical science, technologies and contacts needed to …

Farm Bill Defeated in the House

House Agriculture Committee Chair Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX) delivered on his promise to get a farm bill written in a timely manner, but his colleagues in the House voted 198-213 Friday to reject his effort. Democrats voted against the bill mainly for changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) aimed at getting able-bodied adults under 60 without dependents or …

Grassley Talks Tough on EPA Refinery Waivers

Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa wants EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to stop issuing “small refinery hardship exemptions” or step down from the job. Grassley was one of the four senators who met with President Trump last week to try and finally resolve differences over the RFS between corn ethanol and oil interests. In the call with reporters, EPA should make …

MGEX Presents Industry Commentary on Crop Reports

USDA released its May World Agricultural Supply Demand Estimates (WASDE) report on May 10 with an initial assessment of U.S. and world crop supply and demand prospects and U.S. prices for 2018/19, as well as the latest wheat production forecast for 2018. In addition, on May 11, the Stats Can Stocks of Principal Field Crops report was released for Canada. …

ZimmCast on Ag Podcasts

This edition of the ZimmCast features some industry podcasts worth a subscription. They include: The Ethanol Report, which has been sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association since 2008. Beltway Beef, the podcast of the National Cattlemens Beef Association. The ASI Sheepcast hosted by former farm broadcaster Chase Adams. Last but now least, the new AAEA The Agricultural Communicators Network, Ag …